We are less than two months away from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft where the Montreal Canadiens are set to select 10 times as of now with multiple picks in the top 77 selections. While they do not posses a top five pick and multiple second rounders like last year, the Canadiens are still in a good range where they have a chance to select some quality players. Here is my three round Montreal Canadiens mock draft for the 2019 year in Vancouver.
First Round
With the 15th overall pick, the Montreal Canadiens are proud to select…
Ville Heinola, Defenseman, Lukko (Liiga)
Even though the talent falls off after Bowen Byram, who is projected to be the best defenseman as well as the first selected in this year’s draft, it does not mean that there are not any good options available where the Montreal Canadiens are due to select. Heinola is a mobile left-handed defenseman who has good offensive awareness and looks to fit the power play quarterback mold. He plays in the Finnish men’s league in Liiga which shows he can keep up with more mature players. This includes his time at the U18’s where he played well.
Other Options:
Cam York, D, USNDTP – Very good offensively, mobile and good in all 3 zones.
Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie (CHL) – A good playmaker with high end skill.
Raphael Lavoie, C/RW, Halifax (CHL) – Big body forward with a great shot and presence on the ice.
Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL) – Dynamic offensive forward with upbeat pace.
SECOND ROUND
With the 46th pick, the Canadiens select…
Jamieson Rees, LW, Sarnia (CHL)
Rees is a relentless two-way forward who’s as equally quick as he is skilled. He also plays with an edge and does not shy away from physical play. He can rush the puck well and can do it at high speeds as his quickness can some times throw players off. He skyrocketed up the draft rankings and was on a great line at the U18’s along with Brayden Tracy and Connor Zary.
Other options:
Brayden Tracey, LW, Moose Jaw (CHL) – Rookie of the year in the WHL on a mediocre Moose Jaw roster. Speaks volumes with his 81 points.
John Beecher, LW, USNDTP – A big skilled winger who played behind some good talent with the US team, but made the most of his time. He’d be a great value pick if he falls.
Lassi Thompson, D, Kelowna (CHL) – Kelowna is a defence factory and Thompson looks to be part of the next wave. Mobile with good two-way awareness.
Nils Hoglander, RW, AIK (Allsvenskan) – Small but extremely skilled. He looks like he has the puck on a string and could very well be one of those who drops into another team’s lap because of his size.
With the 50th pick, the Canadiens select…
Mikko Kokkonen, D, Jukurit (Liiga)
Kokkonen is one of those players who may surprise down the line as a second-round pick. He fits a need and to me is part of the BPA group in this range. A mobile, smooth-skating, puck-handling defenseman with top four upside, his positioning and foot work is what makes him a new age defenseman and he excels at that. A very sound defender.
Other options:
Samuel Bolduc, D, BLB (CHL) – A big defenseman who controls the puck well and has a good physical side to his game. Joins the rush and initiates plays.
Maxim Cajkovic, RW, Saint John (CHL) – Played well on a bad team and has a agility and is quite a good stick handler. Could be similar to Cale Fleury who was good on a bad team
Nick Robertson, LW, Peterborough (CHL) – Another small player under 6 feet who posses great offensive bite and plays the game quick. Rarely looks overwhelmed due to his lack of size
THIRD ROUND
With the 77th pick, the Candiens select…
Antti Saarela, C, Lukko (SM-Liiga) – A gifted offensive player who looks to be more of a project, but one that may be of good use if the player works out. Has great instincts.
Other options:
Jake Lee, D, Seattle (WHL) – Another project, but has the foundation of a stable two-way defender who needs to refine his skills and his overall play.
Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW, Stalnye (MHL) – A big responsible player who plays well at both ends of the ice and is physical as well. Looks to be more of a defensive center in the NHL.
While there is still time before the selections are made, a lot of these prospects are set in the final rankings that have been released as of late. In the end, the draft will be completely different from what we expect and players will fall and others will jump and we can’t predict who will do what. All we can do is enjoy the process.